Parallel assembly of chromatography column modules

Abstract

A parallel assembly ( 2; 11; 51 ) of chromatography column modules ( 3 a,b,c; 13 a,b,c; 53 a,b,c, 90 a, b ) connected in a rigid housing ( 21; 61 ), the assembly having one common assembly inlet ( 15; 55 ) and one common assembly outlet ( 17; 57 ), each column module comprising a bed space ( 29 ) filled with chromatography medium and each column module comprises integrated fluid conduits which when the column module is connected with other column modules in the rigid housing are adapted to connect the bed space ( 29 ) of the column module with the assembly inlet ( 15; 55 ) and the assembly outlet ( 17; 57 ), wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A parallel assembly of chromatography column modules connected in a rigid housing, the assembly having one common assembly inlet and one common assembly outlet, each chromatography column module comprising:
 a bed space filled with chromatography medium; and 
 integrated fluid conduits, which when the chromatography column module is connected with other chromatography column modules in the rigid housing, are adapted to connect the bed space of the chromatography column module with the assembly inlet and the assembly outlet, 
 wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly, 
 wherein the parallel assembly further comprises a pair of fluid distribution modules, the stack of column modules between the pair of fluid distribution modules, with one fluid distribution module of the pair arranged at each side of the stack of column modules, each fluid distribution module having one distribution module fluid connection representing the assembly inlet or assembly outlet of the parallel assembly and a connection face towards the stack of column modules. 
 
     
     
       2. The parallel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said chromatography column modules are stacked together inside the rigid housing. 
     
     
       3. The parallel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a compression force is applied to the chromatography column modules to achieve and/or secure fluid tight connections within the fluid conduits of the assembly. 
     
     
       4. The parallel assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein each chromatography column module is provided with a sealing means to provide fluid tight connections therebetween. 
     
     
       5. The parallel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the connection face has at least two connection face fluid connections for connecting to the inlet or outlet side of at least two stacked chromatography column modules. 
     
     
       6. The parallel assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein each chromatography column module comprises at least one fluid conduit, and wherein said at least one fluid conduit ends in a respective fluid connection provided at a position aimed for connection to a column module adjacent to the column module. 
     
     
       7. The parallel assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein each chromatography column module has a lower end piece provided with at least two fluid connections therein, and an upper end piece provided with at least two fluid connections therein for connecting to respective adjacent column modules. 
     
     
       8. The parallel assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein a first chromatography column module connected to the assembly inlet has at least one fluid connection in the lower end piece sealed off, and a last chromatography column module connected to the assembly outlet has at least one fluid connection in the upper end piece sealed off. 
     
     
       9. The parallel assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein sealing off is by way of providing a plug in a respective fluid conduit or by providing puncture webs or plugs in the respective end pieces of the column modules. 
     
     
       10. The parallel assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein each chromatography column module comprises a bed space for filling with chromatography medium therein provided between the lower end piece and the upper end piece. 
     
     
       11. The parallel assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the column modules comprise a tube therein, and wherein the tube and the end pieces together define the bed space for filling with the chromatography medium. 
     
     
       12. The parallel assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the lower end piece further comprises a fluid conduit for connecting a bed space inlet with a tube fluid conduit. 
     
     
       13. The parallel assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the upper end piece comprises a fluid conduit for connecting a bed space outlet with a tube fluid conduit. 
     
     
       14. A chromatography column module adapted to be used in a parallel assembly according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       15. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein it is a disposable product. 
     
     
       16. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein end pieces and a tube of the chromatography column modules that together define the bed space and the end pieces are facing each other when stacking said chromatography column modules and are prepared by moulding techniques. 
     
     
       17. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein a tube of the chromatography column module is manufactured with integrated fluid conduits. 
     
     
       18. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein sealing means are provided to fluid connections of the chromatography column modules. 
     
     
       19. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein it is sterilized by gamma radiation. 
     
     
       20. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein the bed space is prefilled with dry chromatography gel in an amount such that when liquid is added to the bed space the dry gel will swell to a volume occupied in a non-confined space that is at least 2% larger than the volume of the confined bed space. 
     
     
       21. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , further comprising a sensor. 
     
     
       22. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , further comprising an adjustable flow restrictor. 
     
     
       23. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein aseptic films are provided to fluid connections between the modules and between the modules and the rigid housing. 
     
     
       24. The chromatography column module according to  claim 14 , wherein the chromatography column module is composed of at least two serially connected chromatography column submodules. 
     
     
       25. A rigid housing adapted to hold any number of chromatography column modules according to  claim 14  in parallel connection mode, wherein said rigid housing comprises two end plates between which the chromatography column modules should be provided and said end plates are adapted to be forced towards each other in order to provide fluid tight connections between fluid connections of the chromatography column modules.